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IT'S DEMOCRACY TIME! Yes, don't panic, this is just the preview of our latest Olympic logo competition. Traditionally, you get a winter & summer city dumped on you by me, but this time, the competition's most important aspect is up & down to YOU! For the first time ever, the cities we use will be determined by vote, in the closest thing the Olympics have had to a normal bidding process since 2013. It's not a free-for-all, there's a shortlist, and the rest of this post is their names, a picture, and a Wikipedia link to each city. The summer shortlist is at the top, the winter cities are below. They are separate polls. Because democracy only ever goes so far in global sport, this will run as a British election - one vote per person, most votes wins, simples. It's not the comp, just selecting the cities. DO NOT SUBMIT ANY LOGOS HERE. But do feel free to support your favourite. Like all the best IOC shortlists, we got 5 candidates for each one, Here they are, the summer cities: ----------------------- AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amsterdam AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auckland BIRMINGHAM, GREAT BRITAIN https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birmingham NAIROBI, KENYA https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nairobi SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seoul --------------------------------------- And here are our 5 candidates for the winter title: BARCELONA, SPAIN https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barcelona CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canberra REYKJAVIK, ICELAND https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reykjavík SANTIAGO, CHILE https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santiago TROJENA, SAUDI ARABIA https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neom ------------------------------------------- The votes will close at 12pm UK time on THURSDAY DECEMBER 1, when whichever city has most votes in each poll will win. HAPPY VOTING

I think it is mainly because in French "mascotte" is feminine but as one might say "we shall see".

Good on you boys… Socceroos make collective statement to speak out about Qatar’s human rights record

Maybe that little time warp could turn back the clock in Qatar by about 30 hours?

Looks like one of those non existing Uyghur conc…labour camps.

So no discussions on the Qataris bribing the Ecuadorians to lose 1-0 in the opener? I mean it worked so well to bribe the Latinos for 4 votes during the campaign.

It’s probably an arguable distinction, but while it’s certainly a revolutionary symbol, I’d say it’s stretching it to describe it as military. More a symbol of freedom, like a cockade, or at a stretch, of protest, like a gilet jaune. Rather than something militaristic like a bayonet or a pikelhaube. Gotta say, now I’ve found out about the tribe aspect of them, I’m warming more. I think that’s clever. And also subtly French in a Smurfish kind of way…

Do we need even more attention for a medieval regime‘s despicable attempts at sportswashing? I‘m already done with Inside The Games featuring this spectacle prominently and making themselves a PR tool for a murderous gang which holds the fossil fuel addicted world to ransom…

We already know the 2030 slogan "The Games No One Wanted"

PyeongChang 2018 Opening Ceremony without commentary:

Just another bump, I'll probably do one more on Wednesday when it's 24-ish hours to go - but until then, if you haven't already - vote

Commentator on the match there the other day said Uruguay want it - all of it - for the 2030 bid. Maybe it really will be the first truly nomadic stadium, could be at least one good thing come out of this tournament. Also yeah that was an amazing win by Japan @Palette86 - I had Germany down as top 3 favourite, they're usually at their best when nobody is talking about them...

Yes, there are many real containers, but are they ' integral' to the structure of the stadium, or just a decoration? I believe very little of the hype of this WC....

Joe Lycett shreds £10,000 over Beckham's controversial Qatar World Cup deal https://news.sky.com/story/will-joe-lycett-shred-10-000-today-over-david-beckhams-controversial-qatar-world-cup-deal-12751508 Or did he?

Maybe this is what Infantino should've said/sung: I FEEL PRETTY!

Yeah, same thing the world over when it comes to religious conservative leaders... https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/world/iranian-minister-rostam-qasemi-called-out-over-holiday-images-with-unveiled-girlified-in-malaysia/ar-AA13zRdl?ocid=weather-verthp-feeds

World Cup: FIFA president Infantino slams Europe's hypocrisy in astonishing speech (espn.com) Well it finally happened. Infantino had a full blown meltdown at his latest press conference. The alcohol issue, LGBTI concerns, and Qatar1s human rights criticisms all came to a head. This tops Thomas Bach`s meltdown after Oslo pulled out of the 2022 WOGs race. On the alcohol issue, several news outlets (NBC, CNN, ESPN) reported that other FIFA sponsors were concerned about potential u-turns by the Qataris and both CNN and NBC commented that FIFA has effectively lost control of the World Cup. Yesterday`s announcement confirms this. Infantino reacted by saying fans should be able to go 3 hours without a beer and tries to compare the alcohol rules in stadiums to Europe (he fails to note that you can buy beer on concourses at stadiums like Wembley and Aviva but you just cannot take it to your seat). He rants about European human rights violations over thousands of years (???) He said that no decision regarding the World Cup is taken unilaterally (another falsehood) as media reports clearly stated Sheikh Jassim, the brother of the emir, told FIFA that no alcohol in the stadiums was a non-negotiable issue.

Ipswich Stadium which will be hosting Modern Pentathlon at the 2032 Olympics is almost complete. It will host it's first event next Sunday for the AFLW Grand Final between the Brisbane Lions and Melbourne Demons. The turf was layed recently however it has been all ticked off and ready to go for Sundays game which is expected to sell out. https://www.lions.com.au/news/1249132/lions-roaring-to-show-off-their-world-class-new-home

They're also going to demolish San Siro following the Opening Ceremony

^^If Ruhr doesn't take off and Far East goes "just for playing", the Mid-Way is right there.. more than ever.

Phryge | Phrygia >> in/direct new information from turkish soil source: Phrygians - Wikipedia The Phrygians (Greek: Φρύγες, Phruges or Phryges) were an ancient Indo-European speaking people, who inhabited central-western Anatolia (modern-day Turkey) in antiquity. They were related to the Greeks.[1] Ancient Greek authors used "Phrygian" as an umbrella term to describe a vast ethno-cultural complex located mainly in the central areas of Anatolia rather than a name of a single "tribe" or "people", and its ethno-linguistic homogeneity is debatable.[2] Phrygians were initially dwelling in the southern Balkans – according to Herodotus – under the name of Bryges (Briges), changing it to Phryges after their final migration to Anatolia, via the Hellespont. However, the Balkan origins of the Phrygians are debated by modern scholars.[3][4] Phrygia developed an advanced Bronze Age culture. The earliest traditions of Greek music are in part connected to Phrygian music, transmitted through the Greek colonies in Anatolia, especially the Phrygian mode, which was considered to be the warlike mode in ancient Greek music. Phrygian Midas, the king of the "golden touch", was tutored in music by Orpheus himself, according to the myth. Another musical invention that came from Phrygia was the aulos, a reed instrument with two pipes. In classical Greek iconography Paris, a Trojan, is represented as non-Greek by his Phrygian cap, which was also worn by Mithras and survived into modern imagery as the "Liberty cap" of the American and French revolutionaries. Phrygians spoke the Phrygian language, a member of the Indo-European linguistic family. Modern consensus regards Greek as its closest relative

That would be after two events Indonesia is hosting next year: The FIFA U-20 World Cup and the FIBA Basketball World Cup in which they will host along with Philippines and Japan.

Yeah i think Cricket would definitely be at the Carrara Stadium.

Nusantara 2036 - the Hambantota 2018 of the Olympic movement. Even the remote of idea of staging 2036 in Indonesia's new, yet to be built capital would be an exercise in material excess not seen since the awarding of the World Cup to Qatar. Even in the 'New Norm' they still seem very keen to string along a whole band of inevitable losers interested parties that have no realistic chance of staging an efficient and sustainable games. What on this delusional planet is Bach even doing at the G20? Why is the IOC given any focus or attention at such an important international political summit? It has nothing to do with them.

Apples and oranges. Qatar still existed well before it was “chosen” to host. It was also filthy, indeed indecently, rich.

I thought they announced their mascot… Gotta admit, the little French buggers are really growing on me - possibly now my favourite Olympic mascots for a long, long time.

I dont think having nothing built is really a problem, specially considering qatar has built itself over the last 20 years and this sunday is hosting the biggest single sport tournament in the world.

Honestly, back in the day it wouldn't have taken 19 hours for someone to respond to that.

I mean Turkey is for sure checking off boxes to prove sports event pedigree by hosting all this stuff. It can only help them.

Also read that the Black Eyed Peas will be there for the pre-Qatar-Ecuador match opening ceremony. Dua Lupa was asked to performed there too but denied the rumours and called out Qatar for its human rights abuses. Spain's RTVE's FIFA 2022 promo. Of course it's heavy on the 2010 champs Red Fury and its current crop of players in promoting the event with some fleeting footage of the blue blood World Cup nations like Germany, England, defending champs France, Argentina, and Portugal (but it's also got non-qualifier Italy) in action, accompanied by some TVE commentary. If I got it right, TVE's La 1 will show only 19 games, including all of Spain's games, the aforementioned Qatar-Ecuador game, the semifinals, third place game, and the final. SBS announces a new, daily World Cup show called...World Cup Daily, "a nightly ‘one-stop-shop’ delivering Australians the very latest from the tournament at 5:30pm AEDT on SBS and SBS on Demand commencing next Tuesday 22nd November." Every action-packed episode of World Cup Daily, as you would expect with programming like this, will "include up-to-date highlights, previews, expert analysis, exclusive interviews, and superstar guests, plus all the latest news, views, and on-the-ground reactions from each and every FIFA World Cup™ match." World Cup Daily will be hosted by presenter and social creator, Claudio "Claudes" Fabiano, who brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise alongside his genuine love and passion for football. Claudio is well-experienced and has worked with several leading domestic and international broadcasters including Optus Sport (The Highlights, The Football Bite, Euro 2020 Warm-up Live, Fan-Bants), Premier League Productions (Premier League Today Live, Welcome to the Weekend Live) and beIN Sports (The Early Kick-Off, beIN Global Exclusives). Other personalities involved in this include "man on the ground" Adamo De Nigris, Kat Sasso (looks at trends and viral storylines from social media at Qatar), Kat Haddad (who offers glimpses of past World Cup rewind memories), Warick "Wazzeh" Beynon hangs out at the Socceroos compound and checks out on them before their games, and Daniel Olanrian (hangs out with Australian fans on what the World Cup means to them) Portugal, once again coming out of the European qualification playoffs, is more than ready for the World Cup and Qatar--and so are the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Joao Felix, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo, Pepe, and company and their Selecao de Simao's fans to support them for the coveted holy grail for some top-notch soccer in the desert. Like with the rest of 32 nations' fans and teams in Qatar. RTP will be there with major operations of TV, digital, and radio to cover the massive event. As we get prepared for all the action in Qatar and its stadiums, Globo in Brazil unleashes a diversity of its FIFA 2022 World Cup TV promos for its massive coverage to Brazilians--and we will get to many of them. This, because it aired 9 days before the opening match, focuses on the #9-wearing players ("nove") in past World Cups like Ronaldo, Davor Suker, Luis Suarez, Gabriel Batistuta, Robert Lewandowski, Robin Van Persie, Harry Kane, Romelu Lukaku, Roger Milla, Wayne Rooney, and Richardalson. Ends with its broadcast sponsors Claro, Itau Bank, Magalu, Perdigao, Budweiser, and PixBet https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ai3S0tkZ4I Serious talk abounds about how Belgium's Red Devils golden generation, while still very talented and very good with world-class players, are just a bit too old from the four years Russia's 3rd place finish, its best World Cup placement ever, to seriously contend again to aim higher. For Belgium's upcoming VRT 2022 World Cup coverage and promo here, this pokes fun at this with a Red Devils jersey-sporting girl acting as both national coach and motivator, somewhere in Brussels, or Ghent, or Antwerp, or Liege to rally both the multicultural mix of young and the old Belgians across the nation in Flemish--including members of both the Red Devils and their Red Flames sisters like Tessa Wullaert to stand behind the Red Devils with the Flemish chant "Tis aan ons" ("it's up to us"), which VRT's Sporza will use as its World Cup campaign motto. Interspersed with past Belgium World Cup footage. Another fave: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxDBp8bdcp0 Teleamazonas in Ecuador presents the glory of winning the World Cup, showcasing Doha, Qatar, and the support for Ecuador's Condors and the hopes for them in only their third World Cup appearance, starting on November 20. Where many of the world's sporting eyes will be on them and hosts Qatar at Al Khor's Al Bayyat Stadium to kick off the whole controversial thing because of the location. Hopes to achieve the same national sporting glory that Jefferson Perez's gold medal winning 20km walk at the 1996 Atlanta Centennial Summer Olympic Games did: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-cMwx73EJU With that, this Teleamazonas' promo for that first World Cup game live on Sunday, November 20 at 10:15am Ecuador time between Ecuador and Qatar, where all eyes will be upon them https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znHfTV6LCyE Albania's RTSH illustrates and juxtaposes how soccer, the World Cup, its stars, and plays can bring many different people worldwide together in all walks of life with the sport as it presents its upcoming coverage. In celebration. In playing. In emulating their heroes. In designing new gleaming soccer palaces. Destination Doha as the newest chapter, speaking of new gleaming places https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3y6fnKZzNI Abema, a Japanese live streaming broadcasting service, promotes the fact that it'll will streamcast all 64 games of the 2022 FIFA World Cup to Japanese soccer fans online, tablets, smartphones, and on streaming TVs. Showcasing all the games, action, stars, and of course, Japan's Blue Samurai as they embark on its journey in Qatar https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LodgmY3Fq1E One of our newest promos we got comes from France's version of BeIN Sports, the only place in France where you can watch all 100% of the 64 games of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, including 36 exclusive matches and all of France's games. Here in this promos as we look at what could the BeIN Sports cramped cubicles somewhere in Paris with Omar Da Fonseca (?) talking so much to a customer about the nations like France, Germany, Morocco, Portgal, Switzerland, and Spain...but not Italy (boy, Italy can't seem to catch a break) that the person will see but Sonny Anderson and someone else who I can't ID overhearing this both quickly remind him that Brazil (with the former) and the latter with Argentina as he later sings about the nation that both qualified and World Cup-winning nations can be also seen on BeIN Sports too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6q7NTVGE_B0

Seems forcing lots of South Asians into inhumane conditions to build lots of 50.000k stadiums for a country where less than half of the population are actual Qatari wasn't enough as an humilliation. Many expats are forming fan crowds (totally not forced and not plastic/artificial) in order to give the illusion people care/are attending this hot mess. Also, its adorable how Blatter is now bashing Qatar and pretending he wasn't responsible for this crap. He also seems like he has one feet already in his grave. In other news, BTS lead singer Jungkook is confirmed to perform in the opening ceremony. (strong rumours Shakira will also perform).

You'd have think if cricket somehow gets introduced for 2032 that Carrara Stadium would be the most likely venue.

One of the problems is that number of 15000 is not construction on the stadiums. Neither Qatar or the home national have performed autopsies on those working on the stadiums to see what they died from. There have only been a few that actually been categorized as actually dieing on site. And no one as actually taken up the case to actually get the families the recompense they deserve.

Sapporo about to be elevated to Targeted Dialogue for the 2030 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games “The revised draft plan to host the Games in Hokkaido prefecture was presented to City Assembly revealing total capital costs and expenses could range from ¥297 billion (USD $2.03 billion) to ¥317 billion (USD $2.17 billion) – up from the previous budget of ¥280 billion (USD $1.9 billion) to ¥300 billion (USD $2.05 billion) tabled one year ago. The bid committee blamed economic conditions, including inflation, for the change.” “Organizers plan to fund the project with mostly private investment, sparing taxpayers from any large expense.”

It is likely that NZ will bid for 2034 alone. The current government have been in talks with FIFA to bring the men's tournament to NZ. NZ meets all the criteria to host. in a few years time there will be a city rail in the biggest city Auckland and a new 35,000 stadium in Christchurch. Next years Women's world cup will be a dress rehearsal for the mens tournament. media here in nz and politicians have already stated that the opening ceremony to the women's tournament next year will rival if not pass that of the Sydney 2000 Olympic opening ceremony.

I know. And the Doha 2006 ceremonies even had the same Sydney 2000 composer if i'm not wrong (at least the one who did the song Nature).

I third this and show my support to the Australians...We are aware that Denmark's and Norway's teams have made their Qatar human rights concerns known. But those aren't always specific issues like Australia's. However, we know unfortunately human rights like LGBTQI+ and migrant workers' won't liberally progress and change in Islamically conservative Qatar overnight; attitudes there must change too but take longer. The USA is back in the World Cup after shamefully 4 years away and FOX Sports is promoting this in a very big way! FOX goes star-studded with America's return to soccer's grandest jewel event with the unusual scheduling that will come along during the US Thanksgiving and Christmas season (for the first time) in November and December by pulling a lot of the stops signifying this. Jon Hamm as Santa Claus, who's so excitedly eager to happily to work and produce on soccer during Thanksgiving and Christmas in "making the holiday season the most wonderful time of the year". Ellie Kemper as Mrs. Claus. Both are from my St. Louis hometown. We see members of the USMNT like most prominently its talisman Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie (among with several other USMNT members) appear like passing the cranberries (?) with the USMNT enjoying a team holiday feast like they're passing the ball on the field, even the former getting his own inflatable Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade balloon along Manhattan, carried by US Soccer-wearing fans and fronted Hamm's Santa that ends the promo. Promoting national soccer federation team crest ugly sweaters, the top soccer stars like Messi, Neymar, Mbappe and Cristiano Ronaldo, and Christmas-related paraphenellia involving them. Would've been nice to see members of the USWNT make their own cameos in this promo in support of their soccer guys, since their own WC tournament is going to be on FOX next year too down under. Starting November 20 in time for Turkey Day! "The biggest sporting event on the planet during the holidays" certainly, for now, makes mine "a lot better" as a hardcore sports fan! Fun promo! Mariah Carey makes a cameo poking fun at herself about her omnipresent Christmas presence with her song...and Shady??!!! Shady??!!! He makes a cameo too?! I hate his guts! He absolutely doesn't deserve one here! Yeah, he cracks a joke about Cristiano Ronaldo being "old" to be playing while watching him on TV in the kitchen as well as poking fun of himself. But couldn't FOX Sports find someone else more deserving? Speaking of having the 2022 FIFA World Cup played at an unusual time. That same time is held during the Australian summer for the first time this year, which this SBS Australia promo notes, by contrast the previous FOX Sports one. In reflecting the globalism celebration of "speaking football" and of SBS's longstanding multicultural mission that brings Australians from all walks of life together, we see fans proudly sporting their favorite national team jerseys along with many wearing the expected Australia gear watching in whatever platform and usually being outside cheering their teams on. While showing past World Cup moments of various goals, emotions, celebrations, plays, and stars/legends--including those from the Socceroos, back for its 5th consecutive World Cup, and their fans celebrating them. SBS will exclusively have all 64 games live on SBS and SBS 2 live and SBS On-Demand in HD (500 hours in total in multiple languages). 8 matches at 9pm AEST and 20 at 6pm to nearly 10 million Aussies! More sociable times for them, setting the scene for some of the biggest audiences for the network. Les Murray (RIP) gets a cameo calling from the Socceroos' World Cup match in 32 years versus Japan in Germany. Another one and easily my third faves here that I've seen so far comes from France's TF1. France's Les Bleues as we last left them, won it all in Moscow over Croatia. The promo recaptures and reminds us of the powerful mass national pride, passion, suspense, emotions, and celebrations as they succeed in their campaign with the nation donning the tricolors all those four years ago--like being soaked in Paris watching it on a hot Paris summer Sunday. Now France is back, still talented, and seeks to repeat in getting its "third star" in the Qatari desert in Doha. Can they do it? Very possible. TF1 will show 28 games, including all of Les Bleues' games, all the quarterfinals, the semifinals, and final. Big fan TF1's promos with the editing of the editing wipes: One World One Home. That's the campaign for the massively star-studded BeIN Sports 2022 World Cup broadcasting team--The BeIN Squad. Man, is it loaded! Fronted by Brazilian star Kaka, as he walks above and reveals the team from the JW Marriott Hotel roof in Doha and dribbling, we get the likes of Peter Schmeichel, Lothar Mattheus, Ruud Gullit, Emelie Sanderson, David Villa, Gabriel Batistuta, Marcel Desially, John Terry, Chippo, Al-Qatahni, Rafik Saifi, Alessandro Del Piero, Arsene Wegner, Phil Neville, and refs Dean and Ghandouri. Each has their likeness on Doha's ultramodern skyline Looks like its 36 in total with English and Arabic. Just a short 9-second TVR Info promo from Romania informing Romanians in small print that TVR will exclusively cover the 2022 FIFA World Cup later this year:

^^Cooperation of forces will be crucial. The more they get, the safer it will be.

Looks like my namesake

Here are the three finalists for the mascot of the 2023 European Games.

OPENING CEREMONY LIVE !! PRESIDENT ERDOĞAN SPEECHES !!

Maybe could be two people based on gender equality. Possibly three time Olympic gold medalist Teddy Riner (Judo) [London 2012, Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020] and Olympic Gold medalist Anne-Caroline Chausson (BMX) [Beijing 2008].

Grew up in country towns in Western Australia. Very small populations, and I was homeschooled. Had an amazing time, parents made sure I was outside getting dirty and having fun like kids should. Also, we do not have a TV in our house. That probably made things very different. run 3

I still have no idea why Zinedine Zidane was supporting the Qatar Bid. Was he bribed and in with it?

All I have left to say about the situation is, wake up Fifa. There are so many reasons for taking away the Hosting Rights than against it. 1) Qatar is homophobic. 2) Qatar is corrupt. 3) Qatar is too hot. 4) Qatar is too small. 5) Qatar wouldn't recognise Israel if they qualified. 6) Alcohol would be banned. 7) Lack of Human Rights. 8) Lack of Workers Rights. 9) Qatar has contributed nothing to the World of Football. All they have brought is corruption and greed. 10) Lack of Legacy afterwards. Am I missing anything? Fifa, wake up and listen to the majority of us people. It's not too late. Just over 8 years until the 2022 Fifa World Cup is enough time for another Country to prepare. Don't worry about Qatar's reaction. Think of Humanity and Sport, instead of Greed, Money and Corruption. As far as I am concerned, Blatter is the main party in the Corruption, yet Bin Hamman (Who yes was also corrupt aswell) was sacked, but Blatter weren't? Also, they have a Fifa investigator. Prove your 'Innocence' by having a neutral, outside source investigate the 'Allegations'. The IOC had the right idea by rejecting Doha for the 2016 and 2020 Summer Olympics. Fifa, prove that money doesn't influence Sport, clear up your act and take away Hosting Rights from Qatar.

Wembley Stadium meets Fifa requirements. London. Emirates Stadium meets Fifa requirements. London. Old Trafford would get minor renovations. Manchester. New Birmingham City Stadium would meet Fifa requirements. Birmingham. St James' Park would get minor renovations. Newcastle. New Everton Stadium would meet Fifa requirements. Liverpool. AMEX would be expanded and meet Fifa requirements. Brighton. Stadium MK would be expanded and meet Fifa requirements. Milton Keynes. Stadium of Light would get major renovations. Sunderland. Home Park would get major renovations. Plymouth. New Portsmouth Stadium would meet Fifa requirements. Portsmouth. New Nottingham Forest Stadium would meet Fifa requirements. Nottingham. 8 years until 2022, we would be complete on time, as we proved on the 2012 Olympics.

Fanfare of Olympic Oath, Athens opening ceremony of John Psathas http://rapidshare.com/files/43195610/oath.mp3.html